Financial Aid

Application Procedures

Students applying for financial aid must complete the following steps:

1. Process a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):

   This form determines the family’s ability to contribute to the student’s education. The form can be completed electronically via the internet at www.studentaid.gov

2. Submit additionally requested documents: UMHB Verification Worksheet(s) and parent’s and/or student’s IRS Tax Return Transcript(s) as requested. All requested documents will appear on myfinancialaid.umhb.edu under the "Documents" page.
3. The UMHB Financial Aid Office will follow up with an email request asking for other forms and documentation required of the student in order to verify information provided on the Free Application For Federal Student Aid.

All electronic communication should be directed to finaid@umhb.edu.  Scanned documents, should be imported securely through the financial aid portal (myfinancialaid.umhb.edu).

All mail to the Financial Aid Office should be addressed:

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Financial Aid Office

900 College Street UMHB Box 8080

Belton, TX 76513

*Note: A student’s financial aid application may be processed on an estimated basis until all required documentation is submitted.

Awarding Policy

The Free Application For Federal Student Aid uses a federal formula to determine an amount the family and/or the student is expected to contribute towards the student’s expenses. This family contribution amount is then deducted from the student's budget, which estimates all reasonable and moderate costs for the period of enrollment.

Once the maximum aid eligibility is determined, the Financial Aid Office prepares a financial aid package. The Financial Aid Administrator will award in this “package” a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and/or campus employment to help meet the student’s financial need.

The completed financial aid package is submitted to the student for acceptance through an online Financial Aid Notification. The student may accept the package in part or whole. If specific programs are rejected, they will not necessarily be replaced with aid dollars from other programs. The Financial Aid Offer must be accepted through http://myfinancialaid.umhb.edu by the stipulated time frame, or the offer becomes void.

Leaving School

All students who have received financial aid must clear their records with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from school. Those financial aid recipients who plan to graduate or who plan not to return to Mary Hardin-Baylor the following regular semester must also clear their records with the Financial Aid Office. Failure to do so will result in a hold placed on the student’s account and/or transcript.

Refund/Repayment Policy

Please refer to the financial section for more information.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Financial Aid

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Congress, mandates that institutions of higher education monitor the academic progress of students who receive federal financial aid. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has established the following minimum standards to be eligible for and continue to receive federal financial aid. This policy reflects the changes to federal regulations that are effective as of July 1, 2011.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be reviewed at the end of each payment period (fall, spring, and summer semesters) and will be based on the student achieving both a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and earning a minimum of 70% of credit hours attempted (also known as, “meeting SAP”).

Please note that some state and institutional programs may have higher academic requirements, and eligibility for those financial aid programs is subject to the conditions and terms of each program.

• Merit-based academic scholarships also have minimum GPA requirements the student must maintain each semester.
• Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG), a Texas resident need-based program, students must complete a minimum of 24 hours per year and maintain a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA for renewal. If a student fails to meet the required cumulative GPA or minimum earned hours at the end of each academic year, a student will receive notification of TEG SUSPENSION.

CGPA requirements by classification

Minimum 1.80 CGPA: undergraduates before their 4th semester of attendance

Minimum 2.00 CGPA: undergraduates after their 4th semester of attendance

Minimum 3.00 CGPA: graduate students

Note:  Students should note that the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Financial Aid purposes are different from the standards for academic purposes.  See “Academic Probation” for the academic standards and how they apply to academic standing.  

Pace

Satisfactory academic progress is determined by dividing the cumulative number of credit hours successfully completed by the cumulative number of credit hours attempted (including transfer credit hours that have been accepted). The percentage must be greater than or equal to 70% to meet SAP. The maximum time for program completion is 150% of the published program length.

Financial aid will not be disbursed until all prior academic year grades have been posted.

(SAP) Warning Period

In the first payment period (semester) after SAP has not been met, students will be sent notification to inform them that they are not meeting SAP for purposes of financial aid. The notification will include SAP requirements, steps necessary to meet SAP in the upcoming payment period (semester), and the consequences for failing to meet SAP at the end of the warning period.

During the warning period, students may continue to receive financial aid. At the completion of the warning period, students who do not meet SAP are ineligible for financial aid. The Financial Aid Office will notify students at the end of the warning payment period (semester) if they failed to meet SAP. The notification will include information concerning the loss of financial aid for the upcoming payment period (semester) due to failure to meet CGPA and/or 70% completion rate, and the appeal process.

SAP Suspension

If a student was previously under a financial aid Warning or Probation SAP status and fails to meet SAP eligibility requirements during the next semester, the student’s status will be placed on Suspension, and the student is NOT eligible for federal, state, or institutional financial aid during the next semester he/she attends the university. A student who is placed on Suspension may appeal this decision through the appeal process.

(SAP) Probation Period

If a student is placed on suspension, he/she can appeal the suspension through the SAP appeal process. If the appeal is granted, the student will be placed on probation for the next semester. The student must bring his/her SAP eligibility to Good Standing status during the semester or be placed on suspension. While on probation, the student may continue to receive financial assistance if otherwise eligible.

SAP Appeal process

Step One: Students who choose to follow the appeal process must:

• Submit appeal in writing to the Financial Aid Office
• State in the appeal why they failed to meet SAP requirements
• State in the appeal what has changed so that they will meet SAP at the following review (semester)

Step Two: The Financial Aid Office will:

• Review the appeal and notify the student of the decision.
• Approved appeals include:
  • Approval and terms of reinstatement of financial aid eligibility
  • Possibility of meeting SAP in next payment period (semester)
  • Possibility of an academic plan over a period of time
  • Consequences for not meeting terms of approval
  • Approved appeals will result in financial aid being awarded for the payment period
• Denied appeals include:
  • Basis for denial
  • What the student must do to meet SAP
  • Denied appeals will not be awarded financial aid until SAP is met

Step Three: Students must continue to meet terms, as established until SAP is met in order to continue receiving financial aid on a probationary basis. Once SAP is met, the student will be removed from SAP probation status. Failure to maintain SAP after probation is removed will result in receiving an additional warning for the upcoming payment period (semester).

Transfer Credits

Accepted credit hours will be included in the SAP calculation for the next payment period (semester).

• Assumes all accepted credits will be at least 2.0 GPA
• Counted in the next evaluation period following receipt and review of the transcript
• Incoming transfer students transfer in, meeting SAP
• Transfer credits accepted by The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor are included in the credit completion rate and maximum time frame calculations, but not the GPA.

Remedial/Developmental Coursework

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor does not accept remedial transfer credit hours.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor does not offer developmental coursework.

Incomplete Grades

Incomplete credit hours will be considered as attempted credit hours when meeting the pace component of SAP. Grades will be included in the CGPA component of SAP during the term in which they were assigned.

Repeating Classes

• Passed classes may be retaken one time to improve GPA and included in the SAP review (any grade higher than an "F" is considered passing)
• Failed classes may be retaken as necessary and included in the SAP review

Withdrawing from the University

Withdrawing before the census date does not impact SAP as no credit hours have been attempted. However, some financial aid may be considered “earned” and be retained by UMHB to assist in covering costs associated with student attendance.

After census date, credit hours are considered attempted and included in the SAP review.

Exit Counseling

UMHB takes seriously its responsibility to counsel students with regard to debt and its financial impact. To that end, UMHB offers financial counseling (which is also a federal requirement of the Department of Education). This counseling (also referred to as Exit Counseling) is coordinated through the Office of Financial Aid and is completed online. Exit counseling helps students understand their rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower and provides useful tips and information to help students manage their loans.

Students in certain circumstances are required to take advantage of financial counseling.  

• Students who are graduating are sent instructions via email notification 1 month before graduating. Those who do not complete the counseling before graduating receive a follow-up notice after graduation. Holds are placed on student accounts 2-3 weeks after last day of class. Students with a hold on their account will not be able to obtain an official academic transcript until the hold is removed by the Office of Financial Aid.
• Exit counseling is required of students who have not graduated and are not enrolled for the next academic semester, students who are registered less than half-time, or students who are expelled. This same counseling is required even if the student plans to transfer to another institution. 

 

Financial counseling is available to all students, not just students in the circumstances outlined above, and it can be completed at https://studentloans.gov.

Aid Programs by Category

Federal Programs

There are five major financial aid programs which are funded by the federal government and are made available to UMHB students.

1. Federal Pell Grant
   This grant can be applied for when a student completes the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Pell Grant Program processes the information reported, then the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined and reported back to the student on an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR). The amount of the grant is based upon the EFC, enrollment status, and cost of attendance. Funds awarded are directly credited to the student’s UMHB account.
2. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
   Eligibility for this grant is determined after Pell Grant eligibility has been established. SEOG recipients will also be Pell recipients and will show the smallest of family contributions. This program is funded only in a limited manner. Funds awarded are directly credited to the student’s UMHB account.
3. Federal Direct Loans
   • Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loan
     This is a federally insured loan. Student with demonstrated need may receive up to $ 3,500 per academic year for the first year (0-29 hrs), $4,500 for the second year (30-59 hrs), and $5,500 for subsequent years (60+ hrs), not to exceed an aggregate total of $23,000. No interest is charged on the loan until the student falls below half-time status. After being awarded this loan, students must complete online entrance counseling and a master promissory note
   • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan
     Same terms and conditions as Subsidized Stafford loans, except that the borrower is responsible for interest that accrues during deferment periods (including in-school) and during the six-month grace period. Dependent Students who do not demonstrate a financial need may borrow up to 5,500 per academic year for the first year (0-29 hrs), $6,500 for the second year (30-59 hrs), and $7,500 for subsequent years (60+ hrs)

Loan Borrowing Limits

Year	Dependent Students (except students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)	Independent Students (and dependent undergraduate students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)
First-Year Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit	$5,500—No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$9,500—No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Second-Year Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit	$6,500—No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$10,500—No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Third-Year and Beyond  Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit	$7,500—No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$12,500—No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Graduate or Professional Students Annual Loan Limit	Not Applicable (all graduate and professional students are considered independent)	$20,500 (unsubsidized only)
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Aggregate Loan Limit	$31,000—No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$57,500 for undergraduates—No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. $138,500 for graduate or professional students—No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study.

4. Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
   An undergraduate student may qualify for parental-based loans based on their parent's credit history. The U.S. Department of Education is the lender. The maximum loan amount is the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received.
5. Federal Work-Study
   This college work program (need-based) allows a student to work on campus at the prevailing minimum wage. Students on Federal Work-Study are also eligible to apply for select community service positions within the Belton area. Work awards are calculated on 13 hours per week for each 15-week semester. The maximum work award will be indicated on the student’s award letter. Timesheets are completed online daily and require the approval of the student's supervisor. Earnings are issued bi-weekly through the University's payroll system, and by accepting the Federal Work-Study award, the student agrees the earnings will be applied by the univresity to any outstanding balance on the student's account.  If the student does not have a due balance, the earnings will be issued directly to the student.  Applicable federal and state withholding will apply to earnings.

State Programs

1. Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)

   This is a need-based grant which requires that recipients be Texas residents and enrolled full-time. The application for this grant is made through the Financial Aid Office. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon enrollment verification, funds are directly credited to the student’s UMHB account.

2. State Funded Scholarships

   There are various scholarships funded by the State of Texas available to students. These scholarships are need-based and have individual academic criteria. Examples of these scholarships include Fifth-Year Accounting Student Scholarship Program and the License Plate Insignia Scholarship Program.

3. Texas College Work Program

   This college work program (need-based) allows students to work on campus at the prevailing minimum wage. Work awards are calculated on 13 hours per week for each 15-week semester. The maximum work award will be indicated on the student’s award letter. Timesheets are completed online daily and require the approval of the student's supervisor. Earnings are issued bi-weekly through the University's payroll system.  By accepting the Work-Study award, the student agrees the earnings will be applied by the University to any outstanding balance on the student’s account. If the student does not have a due balance, the earnings will be issued directly to the student. Applicable federal and state withholding will apply to earnings.

Institutional Programs

1. Endowed Scholarships
   These are funds made available to students by the institution through endowment programs and special gifts to the University. In most cases, endowed scholarships are need-based and given out based on the results of the FAFSA.
2. Institutional Scholarships
   These funds are made available to students by the institution. Scholarships are awarded based on academic skills and/or merit. On the following pages, academic scholarships are outlined in greater detail.
3. Work Duty
   This college work program allows a student to work on campus at the prevailing minimum wage. Work awards are calculated on 13 hours per week for each 15-week semester. The maximum work award will be indicated on the student’s award letter. This program is similar to the Work-Study program except that students may be hired because of special skills or other criteria instead of demonstrated financial need. Timesheets are completed online daily and require the approval of the student's supervisor. Earnings are issued bi-weekly through the University's payroll system.  By accepting the Work-Study award, the student agrees the earnings will be applied by the University to any outstanding balance on the student’s account. If the student does not have a due balance, the earnings will be issued directly to the student. Applicable federal and state withholding will apply to earnings.